There were 51,000 new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnoses in the south east during 2015, according to a sexual health charity which claims people say they experience barriers to using condoms and getting tested.

The Family Planning Association (FPA) has been raising awareness about sexually transmitted diseases and safe sex as part of Sexual Health Week during September.

The chlamydia detection rate in Surrey is 1,182 per 100,000 people aged 15 to 24 in the county, which is lower than the England figure of 1,887 per 100,000 people, according to figures from Public Health England.

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Health news

FPA’s chief executive Natika Halil said: “There is still a huge amount of stigma around STIs and sex, which is not helpful when we’re trying to encourage more open conversations between sexual partners and increase condom use.

“The main problem is that we still do not have statutory sex and relationships education (SRE), which means many young people are not given important information about enjoying safer sex, or consistently taught skills like talking about condoms with a partner.”

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When asked about their own SRE, 8% of respondents in the south east said they learnt how to talk confidently to a partner about using condoms and 7% learnt about dealing with situations where a partner puts pressure on you to have sex without using a condom, the FPA said.

More than one-fifth of people from the area said buying condoms could be embarrassing and nearly one in 10 said it was still taboo for women to buy and carry condoms.

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Children & Young People

Ms Halil said men could experiment with different kinds of condoms themselves, including varying shapes and sizes, to find which type feel best for them.

“This helps to make condoms an aid to pleasurable sex without the worry of infections, rather than something which creates awkwardness and is more likely to be abandoned in the heat of the moment because of a lack of practice and confidence,” she said.

“We also want to finally banish this stubborn idea that it is taboo for women to buy and carry condoms.

"Protecting yourself from infections and unplanned pregnancy is nothing less than a responsible health choice.”

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Ms Halil said: “Our survey drew out some really interesting differences between age groups. While the older age groups were generally more likely to report being in long-term monogamous relationships and not needing to worry about STIs or condom use, the education they received growing up tended to be poorer than the younger age groups.

“For older people who are embarking on new relationships in later life, a lack of quality SRE at schools and many years of feeling like sexual health messages are not relevant for them can result in a lack of awareness and confidence to safely enjoy sex with a new partner.